The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-01-29

that, rising, outlined itself on the white
shade, wavered moment and then fell.
DR.. Gresham sprang from his horse, tied
him hastily to picket, and in moment
was by the window. A low cry sounded
from the room as he lifted one corner of
the shade, and looked in and saw pros
trate figure on the floor, and woman's
white robed form trying to lift the fallen
head.
"Dont be frightened" he said, after a
moment in which he decided within him.
self what was needed. sit is only DR..
Gresham. heard the fall and ran in"
"Help me get him to the sofa," Mrs.
Temple said, after moments startled
pause. He is worse than usual. I have
never seen him quite unconscious be-
FORE"
"Ah, this explains it," DR.. Gresham
said under his breath, loosening the era
vat and noting, involuntarily, as he did
SO, the EMPTY Lottle and glass on the
table, the books pushed one side as
the reader had risen suddenly, and the
overpowering smell of brandy in the
room.
at is something more than liquor" he
said after moment. sis there bed
near by? He must be carried to one."
"Randy will help; she is strong" Mrs,
Temple said after moment. 81 will get
her,"
"You need man." DR.. Gresham said;
"no woman is strong enough for such a
load" But Mrs. Temple only shook her
head as she left the room, returning ST.
lently five minutes later with Randy, who
without word, aided them in carrying
the master to the room above, and then
retreated as silently.
"Doctorl 1t can't be that he is goner'
Mrs. Temple said at last, dropping the
hand that she had been rubbing, and
turning toward him with such anguish in
her tone, that he started. Thus far, she
had been quite silent, obeying every di-
rection mutely, only looking anxiously
toward the set face, to which no change
came.
"It is paralysis, but L cannot tell how
severe, until the effect of the liquor has
passed." DR.. Gresham answered, and
dropped the hand he was holding, in
amazement, as Mrs. Temple said with
passionate earnestness, "Thank Godr
A week later, DR.. Gresham sat by the
bed of the patient, still unconscious, but
giving now some tokens OF rousing. Mrs.
Temple had gone to her own room for
rest, and, as DR.. Gresham, who had taken
her place, sat with his eyes fixed on the
pale face, there came suddenly an answer
ing look. He did not move. 1t was
plain that full consciousness was there.
Perhaps in entire silence lay the wisest
method Of letting it bring back memory,
and such sense of the present situation
as was needed. But in a moment his eye
had told him that it was simply rous-
ing before the end, and he half rose as
if to call some one.
Some answering look had told the
story. The sick man put out his hand
eagerly. SIS it the end?" he said; and,
as DR.. Gresham bowed bis head, said
quietly, "Thank God"
"Don't CO." he added, as DR.. Gresham
turned to the door. I" L am quite myself.
want to talk to you. want to tell you
what only two have ever known; my faith
er and my wife. Certainly it is right that
one more should know and understand
what she has borne for me. L will tell
you. No Temple has ever had such a
record, and I have never ceased to won
der why it has had to be mine.
1T began in college. I was hard
student, and found, in my night work,
that little brandy toward midnight
cleared my brain, and gave me the
strength of two. 1t was my chum who
suggested it, and it was he who advised
q little game of cards, with small stakes,
as good way of letting down the tension.
found it 30, and the thing went on, till
opened my eyes one day to the fact chat
I was not only gambler and con-
frmed drinker, but a candidate for
states prison. I had lost to Harcount
till was deeply in debt; had only a
fixed allowance, never to be exceeded,
and my father had such detestation OF
debt or of dissipation in any form, that I
dared not tell him the state of things.
There was small legacy coming to me
in three months; thought could antici-
pate it, and make this the excuse for the
act, if discovered. My father had money
in Boston bank which he seldom drew
upon, and his account was balanced only
once a year. forged a check for the
amount, paid Harcount, and swore I
would never touch another card, and that
word I kept.
CT went home just one week before
the legacy was to be paid, ight-hearted
enough to fear nothing. had graduated
with the highest honors, and was to enter
the law school in September. kept up
night work because liked it, the utter
silence, everything about it, had charm,
and the drink no less, and / went on for
some days in my old way. My father
was off on circuit; he had fashion of
coming home unexpectedly, and enter
ing by little side door, and SO he came
in silently this night that ended things
between us. His mail was on the library
1ohIo a,,d he looked IL all ovar He haard